Improvement in machines for cutting and binding grain



, support. tion ofthe rear girt of the frame A A, show- UNITnDj STATES PATENT Fries. y

SYLVANUS D. LOCKE, OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR CUTTING AND BINDING GRAIN.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 106.9115,y dated August 30,l 1870.

.To all 'zr/hom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SYLvANUs D. LocKE, of Janesville, Rock county, Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Harvesting-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a top view or plan of my machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the apron W. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the apronthrongh the cross-slats a and a". Fig. 4 is a transverse vert-ical section ofthe apron, showing a different construction of the same. Fig. 5 is a top View of a portion of the apron, showing the angle-block d and spring e". Fig. 6 is a side view from the direction of the apron of the angle-block d and spring e", with a portion of the cutter-bar and section ofthe roll b. Fig. 7 is a top'view of the adjacent portions of the apron W and binding platform Y when the former is constrncted'as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a front view of the binding mechanism, and the end of the apron and cutter-har adjacent thereto. Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are front views of the binding vlnechanism, showing the different positions of the binding-arms during the operation of binding. Fig. I4 is a front view of the support on which the binding-arms take bearing. Fig. 15 is a side view of the binding-arms and their Fig. 16 is a transverse vertical secing how the pole I is joined-thereto. Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section through the stud 11.*, showing how the arm n is supported. Fig. 18 is a perspective showing how the guiding-cable Q is attached to the lowerl portion, R, of the capstan P, and how the liftinglever O is held. Fig. 19 is a transverse section of the lifting-lever O, just forward of its holding mechanism. Fig. 20 is a longitudinal vertical section of the handle of thelifting-lever O. Fig. 21 is a horizontal section through the pin n* of the arms m and n,as shown'in Fig. l0. Fig.` 22 is a front view of the binding-head m. Fig. 23 is a topview of the same. Fig. 24 is an under side view of the same. Fig. 25 is a top view of the rotating part o`f the wireholder and wire-cutter.

Fig. 26 is a transverse section ofan arm of the same. Fig. 27 is a top view of the fixed part of the wire-holderand wire-cutter. Fig. 28 is an under side view of the same. Fig. 29 is a longitudinal vertical section of the bindinghead m" with its shield removed, as shown in Figi .22. Fig. 30 is a sectionlongitudinally through the stud-bolt 9 of the friction-roll 9, shown in Figs. 23 and 24. Figs. 31, 32, and 33 are vertical sections of the wire holder and cutter, showing the position of the bindingwire during the process of binding. Fig. 34 is a top view of parts, as shown in Fig. 33. Fig. 35 is a transverse vertical section of the rack-box Y', show n in Fig. 10. Fig. 36 is a longitudinal verticalsection of the same.

38 and 39 aretop views of the rack-box Y', with the binding-head m in the act of passing through it, and showing how the twistingpinion and wire holder and cutter are operated; and Fig. 40 isa top view of thetwisting- A the main frame, wherebya horizontal and vertical adjustment of the. parts is attained, slibstantially as hereinafter described; second, in

. the construction and arrangement of the delivering-apron in connection with the binding mechanism, substantially as hereinafter described; third, in the construction and combination of devices for automatically binding grain, as hereinafter described.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, Iwill proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I make my machine of the general form of the common .header7 providing it with the ordinary parts thereof, as a frame, A A, drivewheel B, grain-wheel C, reel E, driving-gear D, pitman F, pitman-lever G, cutter-bar H, pole I, whifetrees K, drivers stand L, lifting-lever O, and rear wheel, M. The rear wheel,`M, however, is allowed to turn only with the pole I, to which it is rigidly attached, as shown in Fig. 1. The liftinglever as used on the header is perfectly rigid with reference to the main frame bot-h horizontally and vertically, while the pole is also rigid horizon- Fig. 37 is a longitudinal section of the rack. Figs.-

' lifting-lever is shown cast-iron holder,

vextended on' the under 2 item94.;

Figs. 1 and 16, so asto allow the driver, stand-- ing on the foot-board L, to change at pleasure the inclination laterally of the pole to the frame. One mode of jointing laterally the at v, Fig. 1, and consists ofthe simple interpostion of a metallic hinge, as therein shown. Amode of jointing the pole is shown in Fig. 16, and consists in a simple pin, 1', that plays in a conical slot, A', in the rear girt, A, of the frame, as therein shown. Around the lower portion, R, Figs. 1 and 18,

of the capstan P, that takes bearing in the pole I, is the cable Q, that has its ends firmly attached to staples or hooks driven in the rear girt, A, on eitherside of the pole. Secured to the pole is au upright piece or standard,

t, Figs. 1 and 18, that has attached thereto a t, for receivi'ng and holding the end of the lifting-lever 0. The end or handle is provided with a spring, o, Figs. 1, 18, 19, and 20, that is used to ret-ain the .lever O in the holder 't, as therein shown.

J is a cross-bar on the horses headsare hitched.

S is a circular plate,.of iron, attached to the pole, 4as .shown in Figs. 1 and 18, and used after the manner of the ordinary circle-iron on wagons, to prevent the pole and the parts rigidly joined thereto from tipping over sidewlse.

In order to adapt the moving apron W to the binding-platform Y, so that the grain may be surely conducted from the former to the latter,I construct the apron, as inthe ordinary manner, of strong cloth w, Figs. 2,-3, and 5, but attach the slats or straps a, for keeping it side thereof, in order that at leasta portion of its upper surface may be more closely approached by the `binding of platform Y than the slat, as heretofore used, running quite across thetop of the apron, wouldpermit. Otherwise the grain would lodge between the apron and the platform. To aid in carrying the grain squarely across the platform, or to prevent it from turning while bepole, to which the ing carried, I attach to the upper sideof the apron, by rivets that also pass-throughV the straps a, the short'slat, or lugs a', Figs..1,

and 3; or, instead of the slats g the rivets may secure simply a large washer, a, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7.-

Where theslats or lugsa, (shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5) are used, the binding-platform Y 'is provided with fingers Y', that, running between the rows of slats and close to the body of the apron, aid in picking up the grain and y conducting it upon the bndingplatform.

Where simply the washers a are used, nearly the full edge ofthe binding-platform is brought close to the bodyw of the apron,- only'openvings being left therein, through which the washers pass, as shown in Fig. 7. The apron runs horizontally across the table over the rolls b', and then is carried up a short distance over the driving-roll or drum m, as more par-4 ticularly shown in Fig. 2. As heretofore used,

the horizontal portion of the apron is held down both at its front and rear sides inthe manner the rear portion of the apron herein described is held-that is, by the slat or piece z,Figs. l and 3, that terminates at the angle of the apron-(that is, at the point where the elevating portion of the apron commences) with a spring, z', over the outer end of which the apron is drawn as the drum m' revolves. However well this d evice has worked on the front side of the apron of the header, it will not answer to hold down the front side of the horizontal portion of an apron carrying grain across `the reaping-platform and afterward elevating it into a binding attachment, inasmuch as the butts of the grain resting `thereon throughout the entire length of the cutter-bar are so far retarded as to deliver the grain-heads lrst upon the binding-platform. To remove sickle-guards, I employfor the purpose of keep.-

ing the apron down simply the angle-piece ef,

, that has its ends turnedup; asshown in Fig. 6,

to prevent the apron, as itpasses under it, from catching. This angle-pieces may be of any rigid material; but I prefer to makeitofspringsteel, `and it should be secured to the cutterbar with the spring part above the apron at that point where it is desired the elevating portion of the apron should commence, Figs.

1, 5, 6, and 8. To prevent the grain from running under the spring e, I cover it with the wooden'block d,that, rising .above the spring, carries the grain'over it.

VThe binding-plattorm Y is supported on the end of the cuttter-bar H and the end of the cross-bar a: continued, Figs. -1 and 8, and the top thereof should be of the curvilinear form shownI in the, latter igure. The binding attachment is supported, as shown in Figs. 1 and 15, on a short plank, n, resting on the blocks p and q on the end p of the front girt of the main frameA A and the end q of the cross- .bar x, and consists of ashaft, g,'that is supported on the bearings g and g, and to which is rigidly attached the arm m', that bears the binding-head m", and that'is 'provided with a segmental pinion, m. On the shaft gis asecond or compressing-arm, i', that turns freely thereon, and that, playing in advance of the binding-arm m', `is secured thereto by a spring, t,-

that has its ends held, by a bolt passing th rough it, firmly against the ears t of the arms, as shown in Figs. 9, 10, J1, 12, 13, and I5. Passing through the bearing g', and a shortv distance v below the shaft g, is a stud-bolt, n. (More particularly shown in--Figs. 15 and 17.) On

this stud freely turns the arm n', that is provided with a segmental gear, n3, (in which plays the segmental pinion ,m,) and a camiocma f 3 head, nf', on the face of which thepin mf in the binding-arm m works as the arm m rotates.

kinds of binding-heads, m", whether binding with wireor cord, may be used; but I have herein shown only one, and that binding with wire. It consists simply of .a stud-bolt, 6 6",- Figs. 22, 23, 24, and 29, which passes th rough the end of the arm m', and on which turns the twisting-pinion 2 and the rotating part 4 4 5 5 8 8- of the wire holder andcutter, and to which is keyed or otherwise firmly secured, the xed part 3 3"of thewire holder and cutter. The form and position of the partsare as shown inthe drawings, and they are shielded by the shield l 1, that is riveted to the arm m', Figs. 22, 23, and 24. On this Ashield and making a part thereof is the horn 1 and the ear 1', to the latter of which is attached a friction-roll, 9, Figs. 22, 23, and 30.

h., Fig. 1, isa sheet-iron shield, fastened to t-he arm m and shaft g in such a manner as to prevent the binding 'material from catching on the springs t or other projecting parts.

Underneath the binding-table Y, and secured in any desired manner thereto, is a reel, k, Figs. .9 and 10, for carrying the wire, and a rack-box, Y', through which the binding head m passes after having passed the wire around the bundle. This rack-box bears a rack, s, Figs. 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39, that operates the twisting-pinion, 2, and a lug. s', that. operates the rotating part 44 5 5 8 8 of the Wire-holder and wire-cutter.

The twisting-pinion 2 may be any ordinary pinion, but should have the teeth cut a little deeper than those of the rack, so as to allow the wire to be inserted between its teeth without-making it liable to come in contact with the rack-teeth, as shown in Fig. 40. Q

The apron W may be operated in any desired manner, as by a sproeketwheel, a, on the crank-shaft bearing a chain running over the loose sprocket-wheel b, that clutches in the sprocket-wheel c, that is keyed or otherwise securely iiXed to the shaft or axle l of the driving roll or drum m of the apron W, Figs. 1, 7, and 8. The loose wheel b is clutched in or out of the wheel c at pleasure by means of the leverd, Fig. l. The binding attachment may also-be operated in any desired manner, as by a chain on the sprocket wheel c, driving the sprocket-wheeleon theintermediate shaft, e', Fig. l, that in turn, by means of the pinion f, operates the gear f attached to the binding-shaft g, that by a complete revolution in one direction performs the entire operation of binding.

During the' operation of my machine, if it be desired to turn it around in a right-hand direction, the same may be effected by turning the capst-an P so as toincline the pole I to the frame A A, as shown in Fig. 1, when the forward movement of the horses will turn they machine. To keep the machine moving in a right line, it is-.only necessary to keep the On the` binding-arm m several different' pole'I in a line perpendicular to the rear girt .be applied tothe handle of thelifting-lever O,

to press down the spring o', Figs. 1, 18, 19,

and 20, when the handle -may bewithdrawn from one socket of the holder #and again inserted in another above or below it at pleasure, where the spring p', upon being released, securely holds it, as shown. l

The forward movement of the machine, through means of the gear-set D and sprocket* wheels a,.b. and c rapidly revolves the apron W, carrying the cut grain first across the platform in front of the cutter-bar and then over the drum m, delivering it in a continuous stream upon the concave surface of the Ibinding-platform Y, where the rotary movement of the arm m', attaehed'to the revolving shaft g, causes it to be bound into bundles and cast upon the ground at the side of the machine in the manner following, to wit: The arms, being in the posit-ion shown by Fig. 10, secure the end of the binding-wire k(carried on the reel k) in the binding-head m by inserting it between the fixed and rotating parts of the wireholder,which is accomplishedl by placing it in the position shown by the right-hand portion of the dotted line, (marked 7', Fig. 22,)when by revolving the rotary part 4 4 5 5' 8 8onethird of a revolution the end will be drawn between the rotary part and the'lixed part of the wire-holder, as shown by 7 in Fig. 22, where it is represented as compressed between that portion marked 5 of` the arm 5 5 of the rotary part of the wire-holder and wire-cutter and the face of the adjacent portion 3 of the fixed part3 3f of the wire-holder and wirecutter. Then the arm m', revolving in the direction indicated bythe arrow in that figure, (10,) and driving before it the compressingarm i, increases stili more the space between it (the arm m) and the arm n by means of the pin m, acting in the cam-groove m5, until the arm n is swung up so far as to allowr the pin to leave the groove,when the arm u becomes stationary and remains so while. the pin m* sweeps around the circular face of the camheadn, as shown in Fig. 11, at which time the position ofthe wire with reference to the bi nding-head is shown by dotted lines,(marked 7", Fig. 22.) that is, it has commenced to enter the rear opening, 3?, betweenf the portions 3l and 3 of the stationary part of the wire holder and cutter. The arm m,\continuing to revolve and drlving the compressing-arm i,' .as.before, soon passes the arm n', when the teeth of thesegmental pinion m3 on the arm m', striking into the teethof the segmental gearn3 on the arm n', causes the latter arm to be driven down or back over its course again, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, until the ends of the two arms meet near the front end of the rack-box Y', at which time the segmental pinion m3 has run out of the segmental gear n3, and the pin m has again reached the face of the cam-head n and enters again the camvright-hand lface thereof,so swinging up the arm n until the pin leaves the groove, as before,

and so the operation is repeated for each bun-l dle. As the arms are driven together the unj bound grain on the table or binding-platform is seized between the arm n and the compressing-arm i', asshown in Fig. 9. If the quantity of grain is suicient, the compressing-arm is driven back toward the arm m', as shown by dottedlines in same figure, the

spring t allowing the arms to .adjust themselves to the amount of grain seized between them, and yet compressing whatever quantitymay be seized with the full force of the spring. While the arms are approaching each other, and when slightly in advance of their position shown in Fig. 12,the Wirek'having worked up the inclined face of the horn 1',swings over its f point and enters the rear side of the twistingpinion 2-and the rear opening, 3, in the fix-ed part of the wire holder and cutter, as shown by the left-hand vportion of the wire,indicated by 7 in Figs. 22, 23, 24, and 31. T he arms continuing to approach each other, the arm n seizes the wire and loops it around the grain, as shown in Fig. 13, until the arms having come together it drives it (the wire) into the front side of the twisting-pinion and Ibetween the arms 4 4 and 5 5 of the rotary part and into the mouth 3* of the stationary part of the wire holder and cutter, when its position is fully shown by 7"' in Figs. 22, 23, 24, and 3l.

As -the arm m meets the arm n and commences to drive it back the binding-bead mf enters the end of the rack-box Y', when the twistingpinion 2-meshes in the rack s, Fig. 38, causing the pinion to commence rapidly revolving, and so twisting the ends of the wire ,that is around the grain together, as shown in Fig. 33. The iirst movement of the twisting-pinion 2 draws the wire into the circular groove 3 in the 'fixed part 33' of the wire-holder, as shown by 7" in Fig. 32, while the lugs', striking the arm 5 5' of the rotary part ofthe wire holder and cutter, Fig. 38, .revolves the part one-third of a revolution, so bringing down the arm 4 4:"to the position occupied by thel arm 5 5,' as-shown in Fig. 39, and so continuously the passage of the binding-head m" through the rack-box Y. causes the lug s to rotate the rotating part of the wire holder and cutter one-third of a revolution, or over the space occupied by au arm. As the rotating part is operated by the lug .9',it first bends the wire 7', Fig. 32, over the cutting-ed ge 3, Fig. 32, and forcibly seizes it Abetween the face of the part 3' and theholder 4,when the cuttng-edgeifffollowing,severs the wire, as shown in Fig. 32, so separating trom the main body ofthe wire that portion -the rotating part.

lthat runs around the bundle and hasits ends held from being withdrawn from the pinion 2 by being looped under or back of the pinion 'in the groove 3' of the fixed part aforesaid,-

and enabling the continued movement of the pinion, as the binding-head sweeps through the remaining portion of the rack-box Y', to

twist those ends together, asshown in Fig. 33,. A

thereby completing the processof binding.

As the arms again open to the position first assumed, as shown in Fig. 10, the bundle is discharged from the arms and falls upon the ground. After the wire 75 is severed by the ,cutting-edges! and 3, Fig. 32, and the end 7"" of the wire running to the reel is held, as previously described, between the' parts 3 and 4, Fig. 33, this end 7"jbecomes the new end t at, as the arm m again revolves, is

loope j around the new grain on the bindingplatform Y andlinserted in `the twisting-pinion, &c., as before, and so continuously.

It should be observed that the recesses 5",

4, and 8", Figs. 22, 25, 26, 3l, 32, and 33, aid very much in holding the end of the wire, as thereby' the extreme end thereof remains uncompressed, and so, being larger than. that held in the jaws, prevents the end from being withdrawn until released by the movement of It may also be observed that serrating the face of the parts 4, 5, and 8 after the manner of a sickle, as shown in Figs. 25 and 26, aids somewhat-in. holding the ends of the wire. y

It will be seen that xas the binding-head passes through the rack-box the roll 9, working against the flange or side o, keeps the pinthe parts of the binding-head as it passes through the grain, and that tite firstteeth in the rack, Figs. 37 and 38, are shortened to prevent the teeth of the pinion catching thereon. v

What I claim is- 1. The jointed pole I, capstanjP, cable Q, jointed lifting-lever O, and frame A A, the

parts being constructed and arranged sub-.

stantially as described, so as topermit a horizontal and vertical adjustment thereof, as set forth.

2. yThe plate S, attached to the jointed-pole I, and arranged 4as described with reference to.

the rear girt, A, of the main frame, so as to prevent the twisting of the pole, while permitting a horizontal and vertical adjustment of the parts, substantially as set forth.

3. The arrangement of the'apron W, having the extending slats or2 on the under side,l

and the short slats or washers on the upper side thereof, with the fingers y of the bindingplatform Y, substantiallyas and 'for the purpose described.

4. The combination of an elevating-apron, binding-platform,` and rotating binding-arm when arranged in relation to each other, substantially as described, so that the continuous stream of grain flowing from the apron upon the binding-platformisseparated and gathered into bundles by the binding-arm, substantially as set forth. A

5. The combination of the rotating bindingarm m with the compressing-arm n', substantially as described.

6. The combination of the pin m"l on the arm m' with the cam-head 11" on the arm n', whereby the binding-arms are held together while the band is secured, and afterward opened to allow the bundle to be discharged, substantially as described.

7. The combination of the rotating bindingarm m', having thereon the segmental pinion ms and pinionm, with the reciprocating arm n', having thereon the segmental gear n3 and cam-head n, for the purpose of carryingthe binding material around the bundle, substantially as described. g

8. rlhe combination of a rotary compressingarm, i', with a reciprocating arm, n', whereby the loose grain is gathered. and compressed ready fory the binding material, substantially as described.

9. The twisting-pinion 2, having -a central bearing, 6, when the teeth by which the pinion is revolved are made to twist the bindingwire, which is inserted between them on opposite sides of the pinion, substantially as described. l

10. The rotary part of the Wire holder and cutter, constructed and operating substantially as described.

11. The xed part of the wire holder and cutter when' provided with cutting-edge 3", holding-face 3', openings 34 and 35, for receiving the ends of the band around the bundle, and the groove 3"', substantially'as and for the purpose described.

12. The combination of the twisting-pinion 2 with the circular groove 3" in the fixed part of the wire holder and cutter, whereby the ends of the binding-wire are held in the twisting-pinion until the same are twisted together, j

portions of the binding-arms, substantially as described.

16. The rack-box Y', when provided lwith the lug s', rack s, and opposite flangen, for

holding the bindinghead'in the rack and` against the lug, substantially as described.

17. The arrangement of the friction-roll g v and iauge Tof the rack-box- Y', whereby thel twisting, holding, and cutting mechanism are held in proper position as they pass through the rack-box, substantially as described.

. 18. The shield 1, attached to the arm m', when used to shield the various parts ofthe binding-head as it passes through the stream of owing grain comingfrom the apron, substantially as described.

sYLvANUsn. LocKn Witnesses: l

LYNP. WooD, 1 J 01m E. WILcoX. 

